The Toronto Raptors' 2026-27 regular season schedule has dropped, and as you look at their early slate, one particular team on the horizon stands out — a matchup that will surely have a ton of eyes on it.
On November 2, which marks just the seventh game of Toronto's 2026-27 calendar, the Raptors will visit the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome — sure to be a highly publicized showdown, no matter the outcome. Clipper fans won’t have to wait long to see Kawhi’s highly anticipated LA return and Raptors fans' first head-to-head look at Ingram and Dick in Clipper threads. Or, it might just serve as a painful reminder of how much this trade has been hanging in the balance.
Raptors–Clippers showdown on Nov. 2 will attract major attention... no matter what happens with Kawhi
We're here in mid-August, and everyone’s practically on edge, waiting for the mystery surrounding Kawhi Leonard’s trade to be resolved, as it’s been held up by a serious league investigation. I can only assume that, like me, the entire basketball community is simply eager for a clear, fair conclusion.
Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard has been operating like he's already back with the Toronto Raptors this summer — which could be a promising sign of the investigation, or at the very least, a signal that he's all-in on this return amid the noise. But the cold, hard truth is that he still technically remains a Los Angeles Clipper. The same goes for Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick, who are on the other side of the deal.Â
The general belief is that this ordeal can be wrapped up and sorted out by the time training camp kicks off (from Sept. 29 through Oct. 2 in Quebec City) — at least from those in Kawhi’s close circle and the spirited Raptors faithful. That being said, there’s still a possibility the investigation drags on well into the season and extends into 2027. Things could get downright grim if Leonard is handed a lengthy suspension or if his contract gets voided altogether.
That would put the nail in the coffin, at least for this version of Toronto’s Kawhi pursuit.
I guess we’ll just have to find out on November 2 whether this is another layer to a deal stuck in flux or the thrilling treat fans of both franchises justly deserve so early in the new NBA year — especially after all the frustrating suspense of this offseason.
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